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North Cowichan RCMP warn of high-tech identity theft

North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are warning the public about someone at a community event using what appeared to be a skimmer — a hand-held device that can read electronic information from debit and credit cards through a wallet or purse.
RCMP
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP say a hand-held device known as a skimmer can read electronic information from debit and credit cards while they are in a wallet or purse. Police are concerned that a man in his 20s tried to do just that.
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are warning the public about someone at a community event using what appeared to be a skimmer — a hand-held device that can read electronic information from debit and credit cards through a wallet or purse.

Police were alerted about suspicious behaviour during a May 7 carnival at the fairgrounds at Beverly Street and the Trans-Canada Highway, said North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Cpl. Krista Hobday.

A man was getting unusually close to people, Hobday said. With a skimmer, all he would have to do is hold the device close to a wallet or purse to get information that could then be transferred to a fraudulent card, she said.

She said the public is urged to keep wallets and purses in front of them — including carrying wallets in a front pocket — to foil skimmers. It is also advisable to do periodic checks of accounts to make sure there are no unauthorized expenses, she said.

The skimming suspect is described as white and in his late 20s with brown hair and scruffy facial hair.